Chapter 5

FIVE

Jack stopped next to me at the bar and without preamble asked, “Do you have any idea why Pete asked me to meet him and Mase tomorrow for brunch?”

Well, fuck me.

I did not lie to my team. I might’ve omitted the truth when it came to my private life but I never lied.

Lies and deception led to pain and devastation.

“I do.”

“Care to elaborate?”

“Not particularly.”

Jack’s dark eyes narrowed.

“He should’ve waited until after his sister’s wedding reception before he approached you. Though he’s obviously already discussed this with Mia seeing as she looked ready to punch him all through breakfast so he’s already screwed the pooch.”

“What’s Mia got to do with why Pete wants a meeting?”

I glanced around the barn that had been converted to an event space overlooking the lake and Tubbs Hill. Pale pink linens covered the tables, white roses and wild heather were artfully arranged in the center. Cole and Mia were swaying to a slow country song I’d never heard. The rest of the team scattered around the room with their wives.

Everyone except me and Jack.

What a difference a year and some change makes.

Now I was losing Jack.

“He wants to offer you a job.”

“What kind of job?”

“The kind that has you moving to San Diego working with him and Mason.”

“Say again?”

I threw back the rest of my Makers Mark and set the empty glass on the bar and shifted to face Jack.

“They’re going to Honduras. They’re going to need you.”

“La Lima,” Jack muttered.

“La Lima,” I confirmed. “You’ve spent time there. You have contacts in the region. They need you.”

Jack’s jaw clenched.

He knew exactly what was happening in La Lima and he knew I was right. Mason and Pete needed him if they had any chance of accomplishing their mission without casualties.

“You need to accept the offer,” I unhappily told him. “I’m not all fired up letting you go and if I thought there was a way they could get in and out without getting their asses handed to them I’d tell them to go pound sand. But those women need them and they need you.”

A muscle jumped in his cheek.

His black eyes sparking with fury. He was fully aware of the daily slaughtering of women.

“Before you go, I need you on one more job.”

“You say that like you’re kicking me off the team.”

“Brother, you’re as loyal as the day is long. I know you. You’ll struggle with your decision. You won’t want to leave Takeback and the team out of loyalty. But you won’t have to dig very deep to know there’s only one right decision here. If it helps you come to the decision sooner without the internal battle, you’re fired.”

I’d seen many men cower under Jack’s menacing glare. I was not a man who cowered but even still the seething look he was shooting my way gave me pause.

“The team—”

“We’ll be there to provide backup. I already offered and Pete is smart enough to know he’ll need all the help he can get if he’s going to pull this off. As for what the team will think, all of us will support you.”

Jack’s gaze skidded around the room, his expression troubled.

“What’s the job?”

He was asking about his last gig with Takeback.

“I’m still waiting on the full brief,” I started. “SOIB has a lead on Martin Jackson. They’ve been tracking him for eighteen months but this is the first time they have confirmation he’s onsite. He’s moving women through Las Vegas. His next party’s in a couple of weeks. The FBI has two women undercover working the scene. I’m going down there next week to meet with them. They introduce me around and get me an invite to the party. I need you and Asher there with me. Possibly Cole when he’s back from his honeymoon.”

“Is that why Mia looks like she’s ready to commit murder?”

“Nope. Haven’t briefed the team yet. She’s pissed because Pete cut her out. He shut down the Angel program and reorganized in San Diego, leaving her out of the new startup.”

“And he still has his balls,” Jack mumbled.

“I have no idea about the man’s testicles and frankly I’m happy I don’t.”

“I’ll take the meeting with Pete and Mase and let you know what I decide.”

Apparently he’d forgotten the part about me firing him.

“Send me what you have and I’ll start a workup,” Jack continued.

“Right. Enough work shit. This is supposed to be a party.”

Jack’s attention went to the table of cackling women. Mine followed, and like a heat-seeking missile my eyes immediately landed on Atlee.

She was stunning in her shimmery gray dress. All that shiny brown hair tumbled down her back in waves, mocking me. Summoning memories of my hands fisting those strands while I’d fucked her from behind. Her beautiful smile only served as a reminder of what those lips felt like on my skin as she explored the limits of my control. But it was her silver strappy heels that were driving me insane. The woman had legs for days, and her sexy shoes didn’t let you forget it. Not that I’d ever forget what it’d felt like having them wrapped around me while her pussy convulsed around my cock. It had taken more restraint than I cared to admit to keep my distance throughout the day.

Thankfully, River approaching pulled me from my thoughts.

“I’m headed out,” he started. “I need to get Letty and Mav home.”

I glanced back at the table of smiling women. Mrs. S had made it past the cake cutting and was right then holding court with Sloane, Sadie, and Atlee, laughing at whatever story the old woman was telling.

Against my better judgment I offered, “I’ll take them home.”

“You sure? You didn’t look all that fired up to play chauffeur earlier.”

It wasn’t the chauffeur part I had a problem with.

“Positive.”

“Right,” River drawled.

I ignored the insinuation in his tone. The man would pounce if he caught the slightest whiff of something he felt he could suss out.

Jack waited until River was out of earshot before he picked up the thread.

“You gonna hit that?”

Jesus.

“Nope.”

“Would you tell me if you were?”

“Nope.”

“Secretive bastard.”

“That’s rich coming from you.”

Jack, like me, kept himself to himself.

“Fair point,” he mumbled. His gaze caught on Atlee. One of his rare smiles formed as he went on, “She’s gorgeous. And those fucking legs.”

My gut tightened and something that felt a lot like jealousy swiftly simmered.

“I might forget she’s Mrs. S’s granddaughter for a few hours just to feel those—”

“Don’t.” The warning slipped out before I could stop it.

Jack’s slap on the back jarred me forward.

“Careful, boss, you’re showing your hand.”

With that parting shot, he picked up his beer and sauntered away.

Fuck me.

I needed to get my shit together and fast.

* * *

“Thank you for helping me up.”Mrs. S’s appreciation was tinged with exhaustion. “Davis looks happy.”

It might’ve been Cole’s wedding but the old woman had a soft spot for Davis.

“He is,” I confirmed.

“Go on now, Atlee’s waiting for you. See my girl home safely.”

I hadn’t forgotten her granddaughter was downstairs in my car waiting for me to take her back to the scene of the crime.

“Absolutely.”

“And, Wilson?”

“Yeah?”

“A gentleman would see her to the door.”

No, a gentleman would let her out at the curb and allow her to make an escape with her virtue intact.

“She’ll safely make it to her room,” I promised.

Though I couldn’t promise she’d be safe once she was inside.

Being alone with Atlee was testing the last threads of my willpower.

“Lock this behind me.”

Mrs. S lifted a wrinkled hand and patted my cheek.

“Such a good boy.”

There was nothing good about me or my intentions toward her beloved granddaughter.

It would be a miracle if I got Atlee back to the resort before I had my hand between her legs coaxing an orgasm from that sweet body of hers.

I waited in the hallway until I heard the lock engage.

Then I gave myself a few moments to remind myself of all the reasons why I couldn’t touch the sexy woman in my car.

Fifteen minutes later, I was standing next to Atlee in front of her hotel room door patting myself on the back for wringing the miracle of keeping my hands to myself when her eyes tipped up and locked with mine.

“That was hard,” she whispered.

“What was?”

“Pretending.”

I had to hand it to her, she’d played her grandmother and everyone else. No one was the wiser we’d spent last night together.

I didn’t get a chance to comment. She tapped her key card on the pad and pushed the door open.

Her voice was still a whisper when she asked, “Are you coming?”

That was a loaded question.

“Atlee—”

“Or don’t.”

She stepped in and let go of the door.

Before I thought better of it my hand shot out and caught the obstacle I should’ve let close.

The lighting in the room was subdued; only the small lamp by the bed and moonlight filtered in through the large windows. Atlee’s form was silhouetted as she bent to remove her shoes.

“Leave them on.”

She straightened, keeping her back to me, but glanced over her shoulder. A sexy, sly smile tugged at her lips and my plans changed.

I stepped closer, my body vibrating with barely leashed hunger. This woman did crazy shit to my body I couldn’t control. By the time I stopped, my chest was fitted to her back, with those pretty lips so close I took advantage and slid my tongue over the bottom one. Atlee groaned and nestled her ass back into my stiffening cock.

The need to have her again was overwhelming.

“Last night was all about giving you what you needed,” I told her and slid my mouth over her jaw. “Tonight I’m taking what I want.”

I felt her shiver and her nod.

She had no idea what she was agreeing to.

“If I get too rough—”

“I trust you.”

My chest tightened; a new unexpected feeling started to drown the desire.

“You shouldn’t.”

“You’ll stop if I say no,” she groaned and tilted her head to the side, giving me better access to her neck. Something I noted last night—she liked my mouth or hands at her throat.

An invitation that was all too enticing. I grazed my mouth down the sexy column and sank my teeth into her shoulder, careful not to mark her. That, too, took more restraint than I cared to acknowledge.

I yanked her dress up over her hips. One arm went around her and my hand dove between her legs. The other slipped around her waist, anchoring her to me.

The silk of her panties was already wet.

“This for me?” I asked, sliding my fingers under the fabric.

“Yes.”

“How many times tonight did you think about this? My fingers fucking your tight, little cunt.”

Atlee sucked in a breath that had more to do with my fingers roughly fucking her than my coarse words.

“A lot.”

I thumbed her clit until she was rocking her hips, reaching for her orgasm.

Not yet.

“Tell me, baby, were you thinking about how good it felt when I had my mouth between your legs?”

“Yes,” she hissed when I slowed my fingers.

“You want my mouth again?”

“Yes, Wilson.”

“Then earn it.” I pulled my hand out of her panties and spun her around to face me. “Get on your knees, Atlee, unbutton my pants, and pull me free.”

I waited and watched indecision flicker in her eyes.

Last night, I’d given her a taste of the man I was but kept myself in check. I hadn’t lied when I told her tonight I’d take what I wanted. It was up to her to put a stop to anything that made her uncomfortable but I wasn’t holding back.

Finally, she gracefully sank to her knees. Her hands went to my belt. She worked my cock free and gave my erection a long, slow stroke.

My hands went to her head and I tipped it back so I had her attention.

“So fucking beautiful.” Her eyes softened at my praise. “Put me in your mouth. But keep your eyes on me.”

The sexy little tease ignored my order, dipped closer, and licked up my shaft from my balls to the tip before her lips parted and she sucked half my length into her mouth.

I allowed myself to give into the darkness I’d held back and fisted two handfuls of her soft brown curls.

“Hands on my thighs. I’m gonna fuck your mouth, sweet Atlee. Eyes on me the whole time. If it’s too much, tap my legs.”

Those innocent brown eyes widened, realization setting in.

“You can always say no, but if you don’t tap out I’m going to fuck your throat until I own your tears and you swallow my come. Then you’ll get your reward.”

I held myself still while Atlee made her decision.

Her hands went to my thighs and I still didn’t move except to release one fistful of hair so I could cup her jaw.

“You have no idea what you do to me,” I admitted and pushed my hips forward. “How sexy you are on your knees.” I pulled back and slowly thrust deeper. “How desperate you make me.” My fingers, tangled in her hair, tugged her head back, giving me a better angle. “How hard it is not to let go and take more and more of you until we’re both wrecked and broken.” I kept my pace measured, only giving her more when I felt her jaw relax. “How badly I want to tan that pretty ass of yours for leaving me this morning.”

Atlee’s fingertips dug into my thighs but she didn’t tap.

“You ready for more?”

She nodded the best she could with my dick sliding in and out.

“Christ, your mouth feels so fucking good.”

I fought to keep my eyes open as the pleasure threatened to pull me under.

The rasp of her tongue gliding along my dick while her lips kept perfect pressure was unnerving. She was going to make me come long before I was ready.

On a downward slide Atlee fought my control and took my cock to the back of her throat. Tears formed at the corner of her eyes as the sound of her taking me deep filled the room.

Fuck.

I jerked my hips back, gave her a moment to catch her breath, then fucked her face until I couldn’t hold back my climax.

“Ready, baby?” I groaned.

With one last thrust I lodged my cock as deep as Atlee could take me, and let go. Each rope of come felt like it was being ripped from my body. My ears filled with static, my vision blurred, my legs locked to keep me upright, and I fought the need that was clawing its way to the surface. The need to claim a woman that I had no business claiming. The dangerous, deadly need that I’d worked so hard not to ever feel.

Why her?

Those artless brown eyes came into focus and I knew why she had the power to undo me. Not that I’d admit my sick perversion, not even to myself.

I slipped my still-hard cock from her mouth and watched her tongue dart out and lick the corner of her mouth, capturing the come that had spilled out. I used my thumb to swipe the rest and used the moisture to paint her puffy lips.

“Reward time, baby.” I helped her to her feet and made sure she was steady before I pulled my wallet out, tagged the two condoms I had in there, and tossed them on the bed.

Atlee’s gaze followed the packets and she frowned.

“Are those all you have?”

The woman was going to fucking kill me.

“I’ll take care of you,” I reminded her.

I didn’t need to use my dick to give her multiple orgasms.

“I know you will but I like when…”

She trailed off and I prompted, “What do you like, Atlee?”

“When you’re inside of me.”

“You like my big dick, baby?” I teased.

She matched my smirk.

“About as much as I know you like it when you can feel my pussy strangling that big dick of yours.”

She would know how much I liked the feel of her clutching my cock seeing as I told her more than once last night when she tightened around it and screamed her climax.

The only excuse I had was my proposal was due to the delirium her mouth had caused.

“Lady’s choice. Get your reward now before we leave—”

“We’re leaving?”

I slid my hand up her back and gripped the back of her neck, pulling her closer.

“As you rightly pointed out, I like the feel of your pussy. Two condoms won’t be enough. We’re going back to my place. The only question is, am I eating you now or do you want to wait?”

Her decision was immediate.

“Wait.”

“Good choice. Grab your purse, let’s go.”

I snagged the condoms, shoved them in my pocket, and held out my hand.

Atlee briefly glanced at it before she reached out and curled her fingers around mine.

A touch far more innocent than anything we’d done.

Yet it felt…different.

Intimate.

And really fucking dangerous.